We’re back in the northernmost capital in the world, where six aspiring Eurovision stars are getting ready for the first semi-final of Iceland’s Söngvakeppnin on Saturday 25 February.
Six semi-finalists will compete for three spots in the final on 11 March. On Saturday, artists must sing the Icelandic version of their songs. But the six acts that advance to the final in Laugardalshöllin will have the option to perform in English, if the artist and composers intend to sing in English at Eurovision 2017.
The finalists will be determined through a 100% televote system — power to the people! — and will be announced in random order.
Hildur will open the show with her onomatopoeia number “Bammbaramm”, and Aron Hannes will close it out with “Nótt”.
Söngvakeppnin 2017 semi-final 1 running order
1. Hildur – “Bammbaramm“
Composer: Hildur Kristín Stefánsdóttir
Lyrics: Hildur Kristín Stefánsdóttir
2. Erna Mist – “Skuggamynd“
Composer: Erna Mist Pétursdóttir
Lyrics: Erna Mist Pétursdóttir and Guðbjörg Magnúsdóttir
3. Arnar and Rakel – “Til mín“
Composer: Hólmfríður Ósk Samúelsdóttir
Lyrics: Hólmfríður Ósk Samúelsdóttir
4. Júlí Heiðar and Þórdís Birna – “Heim til þín“
Composer: Júlí Heiðar Halldórsson
Lyrics: Júlí Heiðar Halldórsson and Guðmundur Snorri Sigurðsson
5. Rúnar Eff – “Mér við hlið“
Composer: Rúnar Eff Rúnarsson
Lyrics: Rúnar Eff Rúnarsson
6. Aron Hannes – “Nótt“
Composer: Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson
Lyrics: Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson and Ágúst Ibsen
By the look of this, RÚV has decided to let the veterans start the show and heat up the stage for the two newcomers who will take us home.
RÚV has also done good by mixing up the songs quite well: the ballads are neatly placed in between the more energetic ones, plus the show starts with a bamm and ends with a bang.
Semifinal 1 sure impressed the members of the Icelandic Wiwi Jury, as Erna Mist, Aron Hannes, Júlí Heiðar and Þórdís Birna, and Rúnar Eff all made it to the overall top 5. Now the question is who will impress the Icelandic nation the most and get through to the final in Laugardalshöllin on 11 March.
When and how to watch
Semi-final 1 of Söngvakeppnin 2017 starts at 20:45 CET. You can watch it through RÚV’s website. Just press the “Í beinni” text in the upper right corner and you are good to go.
Who are you most excited to see on stage? Who do think will qualify to the final? Tell us in the comments below.
@(J)ESC Fanatic – That makes two of us. Besides Blackbird, Again is the best ballad of this season.
I really want to see Arnar and Rakel qualifying, but I don’t think they will. 🙁